J&K: Heavy snowfall block highway; avalanche warning issued

Srinagar, Feb 14: With the weather changing its mood yet again, fresh snowfall and slippery road prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir leading to the Srinagar-Jammu highway blocked for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.

The chief engineer of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Brigadier T.P.S. Rawat stated that fresh snowfall in the Banihal and Patnitop sectors of the road during the night led to the roads becoming slippery. He commented, "The highway has been closed for vehicular traffic to ensure passenger safety. Road clearance operations are going on and we will review the situation as soon as the weather improves."

The authorities have also issued an avalanche warning for these areas due to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches. The weather office has predicted an improvement in weather from Tuesday afternoon.

The director of the met office, Sonam Lotus also added, "The western disturbance is weakening now and we are expecting an improvement in weather from Tuesday afternoon."